Kebba Sanyang, counsel for Gambia Teachers’ Union, on 19 August 2013, continued his cross-examination of Karamo Sanneh, plaintiff, who dragged the Gambia Teachers’ Union to the Kanifing Industrial Tribunal for wrongful termination.
Karamo Sanneh had earlier testified, and after the end of his testimony, Kebba Sanyang started cross-examining him to test the veracity of his testimony.
“You will agree with me that during the time you have been with the Gambia Teachers’ Union, several complaints and warning letters were issued to you. Do you agree or not?” asked Kebba Sanyang.
“I agree, but they were false warning letters,” replied Karamo Sanneh.
“You will agree with me that Gambia Teachers’ Union has warned you before for the misuse of their telephone facilities. Do you agree or not?” Kebba Sanyang enquired.
“I agree, but those are fabricated and false warning letters,” Karamo Sanneh answered.
“You will also agree with me that the Gambia Teachers’ Union issued warning letters to you for your insubordination and poor attitude at work. Do you agree?” Kebba Sanyang asked.
“It is not true,” Karamo Sanneh said.
“Do you agree with me that because of your poor attitude at work, the Gambia Teachers’ Union issued you with warning letters. Do you agree?” challenged Kebba Sanyang.
“I agree that the Gambia Teachers’ Union issued me with warning letters but the allegation that I absent myself from work is false,” replied Karamo Sanneh.
“Do you agree with me that you brought your little child to man the post on your behalf while you were absent?” inquired Kebba Sanyang.
“It did not happen. It is not true,” Karamo Sanneh answered.
“You will agree with me that it is not your responsibility to prepare duty rosters,” said Kebba Sanyang.
“It is not my responsibility but sometimes management assigns us to prepare the duty rosters,” Karamo Sanneh said.
“Was the roster for the week of 26 October 2012 prepared by you?” Kebba wanted to know.
“No,” Karamo Sanneh replied.
“Mr Sanneh, according to that roster, you were supposed to be at work and you were not at work,” Kebba Sanyang put it to him.
“I was not at work on that day because the duty roster prepared by the programme manager had been manipulated to put me on that day when I was supposed to be on off duty,” said Karamo Sanneh.
“The 26 October 2012 was your off day?” Kebba Sanyang asked.
“Yes,” Karamo Sanneh answered.
“You will agree with me that a copy of the roster was given to you so that you will be at work,” Kebba Sanyang said.
“It is not true. I was given an approval of a leave letter which I applied for,” Karamo Sanneh replied.
“Your employer gave you a duty roster to be at work and you said it was tampered with. When did you know that it was tampered with?” Kebba Sanyang asked.
“When I made a close observation of the roster,” answered Karamo Sanneh.
“When did you make the observation?” Kebba Sanyang asked.
“I observed it before the 26 October 2012,” said Karamo Sanneh.
“You refused to go to work although you made an observation of the roster,” Kebba Sanyang put it to him.
“I did not go to work,” said Karamo Sanneh.
“By not going to work on that day, you exposed your employer’s premises at risk,” Kebba Sanyang put it to him.
“That is not to my knowledge,” Karamo Sanneh said.
“You did the same before leaving the premises of the defendant and asked your 14-year-old daughter to man the post,” Kebba Sanyang put it to him.
“It is not true,” answered Karamo.
“You will agree with me that before your employer terminated your service, they invited you to a hearing. Do you agree?” Kebba Sanyang asked.
“I agree,” said Karamo Sanneh.
“You will agree with me that you were accompanied by your representative, Lamin Touray. Do you agree?” Kebba Sanyang enquired.
“I agree,” said Karamo.
“You will agree with me that your employer had recounted all the happenings in the past,” said Kebba Sanyang.
“I agree that they had recounted series of fabrications and false warning letters, which were not proven to me,” Karamo replied.
“You will agree with me that you have taken your employer to the press before your termination,” Kebba Sanyang said.
“I did not,” Karamo replied.
“Have you taken this matter to the press before coming to court?” asked Kebba Sanyang.
“I did not,” said Karamo.
“When this matter was in this court you had spoken to the press. Do you agree?” Kebba Sanyang asked.
“Yes, the claim which was prepared for me by the court was needed by the press and I gave it to them,” answered Karamo.
“Following your termination, you wrote to the Commissioner of Labour to intervene. Do you agree?”
“Yes, I wrote,” Karamo Sanneh answered.
The case was then adjourned till 28 August 2013.
Magistrate Jobarteh, chairman of the Kanifing Industrial Tribunal, presided over the case, and was assisted by his two panelists, Njie and Cole.
